Could this solve Montauk's water crisis?
- Text by Shelley Jones
“Life on Long Island revolves around water,” says John Slattery in the opening moments of Mikey DeTemple’s latest documentary, Into The Sea. As a local resident, John should know. The health and happiness of this coastal community, buffering up to the Atlantic on one side and the city of New York on the other, is deeply tied to that of its waterways.
Into The Sea – which was commissioned by the Surfrider Foundation and features interviews with local fishermen, surfers, activists, scientists and landscapers, and is narrated by Slattery, Mad Men’s anti-hero ad-man Roger Sterling – reveals that there is a growing pollution problem in Long Island, fuelled in part by unsustainable development: huge, chemically treated golf courses and pristine landscaped gardens. But it also flags up a potential solution.
The pollution is caused by harmful substances, like fertilisers and untreated waste, being washed into the waterways when it rains. Usually, natural vegetation would filter these substances before it reaches the ocean, but man-made surfaces – driveways, roads and lawns – prevent that from happening. It reached such drastic levels this summer, popular swimming ponds in the area had to be shut to the public completely.
But it just takes restoration of that natural vegetation to get things back on track. That’s why Surfrider have launched a new initiative, The Ocean Friendly Gardens programme, to help people understand what they can do at home to make their backyards more ocean friendly.
John Slattery, who also surfs the local breaks, narrates and even catches a wave at the end of the film.
Go to surfrider.org to learn more about Ocean Friendly Gardens.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
Meet the hair-raised radical women of Berlin’s noise punk scene
Powertool — In his new zine, George Nebieridze captures moments of loud rage and quiet intimacy within the German capital’s female-only bands, while exploring the intersections between music, community and anti-establishment politics.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Amid tensions in Eastern Europe, young Latvians are reviving their country’s folk rhythms
Spaces Between the Beats — The Baltic nation’s ancient melodies have long been a symbol of resistance, but as Russia’s war with Ukraine rages on, new generations of singers and dancers are taking them to the mainstream.
Written by: Jack Styler
Uwade: “I was determined to transcend popular opinion”
What Made Me — In this series, we ask artists and rebels about the about the forces and experiences that shaped who they are. Today, it’s Nigerian-born, South Carolina-raised indie-soul singer Uwade.
Written by: Uwade
Inside the obscured, closeted habitats of Britain’s exotic pets
“I have a few animals...” — For his new series, photographer Jonty Clark went behind closed doors to meet rare animal owners, finding ethical grey areas and close bonds.
Written by: Hannah Bentley
Frazer Clarke: “I had a hole in my leg, I’m very lucky to be alive”
Hard Feelings — For our interview column on masculinity and fatherhood, the Olympic boxing medallist speaks to Robert Kazandjian about hard graft, the fear and triumph of his first fight, and returning to the ring after being stabbed on a night out.
Written by: Robert Kazandjian
Remembering Holly Woodlawn, Andy Warhol muse and trans trailblazer
Love You Madly — A new book explores the actress’s rollercoaster life and story, who helped inspire Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’.
Written by: Miss Rosen